BIM Implementation in AEC

 Drivers of BIM: Usually, BIM is driven by factors that fall into one of the following categories:

  • Organizational
  • Sustainability
Connectivity

BIM have a positive influence within the Architectural, Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry by using 3D visualization, clash detection, feasibility analysis, constructability review, quantity take off and cost estimation, 4D scheduling, environmental /LEED analysis, creating shop drawings and facility management. BIM use has potential to improve construction efficiency, enhance collaboration and knowledge sharing among the team members and support construction related tasks. Using BIM throughout a project reduces risk by promoting efficiency, by minimizing error or misinterpretation between designers, engineers and contractors and by requiring collaboration and knowledge sharing between all parties involved to ensure accuracy and reliability.

Although many regions and countries follow the generic 3D BIM to 7D BIM standard, specific national Levels vary significantly from one state to another.

Building Information Modeling (BIM) Levels in the UK are defined based on the National Building Standards (McPartland, 2014) classification. This refers to BIM as Level 0, Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3, translated as follows:

Level 0

BIM Level 0 is referred to as ‘unmanaged computer-aided design (CAD)’, and takes the form of a 2D paper format or, where possible, an electronic PDF paper.

Level 1

BIM Level 1 is ‘managed CAD’, presented in a 2D or 3D format. It is produced using the ‘BS1192:2007 standard with a collaboration tool providing a Common Data Environment (CDE), possibly some standard data structures and formats. Commercial data are managed by standalone finance and cost management packages with no integration’ (Dept of Business, Innovation and Skills, 2011).

Level 2

BIM Level 2 is defined as a ‘managed 3D environment held in separate discipline BIM tools with attached data’.

Together those models create collaborative federated models shared within CDE. The commercial data are usually stored separately or integrated through a proprietary interfaces or bespoke middleware (BSI: PAS 1192-2, 2013) and (BSI: PAS 1192-3, 2014).

This approach may utilize 4D programme data and 5D cost elements, as well as feed operational systems. This is the mandatory level, recommended by the government, that all contractors must comply with when procuring public projects.

Level 3

Level 3 is defined as ‘fully open process and data integration enabled by web services, compliant with emerging Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) and International Framework for Dictionaries (IFD) standards, managed by a collaborative model server’ (Morledge & Smith, 2013). Level 3 could be regarded as ‘integrated BIM’ (iBIM), potentially employing concurrent engineering processes.

Currently, Level 2 is the mandated appropriate level for UK 

construction, but there are advocates for this to be raised to Level 3. However, there are some concerns that there isn’t enough data or the technical know-how to cater for the IFC, IFD and other data required to meet Level 3 and as a result most companies will hardly comply.


However, there are generic categories that are widely used to describe the various levels of BIM implementation. These are 3D BIM, 4D BIM, 5D BIM, 6D BIM and 7D BIM, which focus on modelling, scheduling, estimating, sustainability and facilities management respectively, as demonstrated in the figure below.

What do these BIM dimensions mean?

BIMPanzee (2013) define these BIM Dimensions as follows:

3D BIM

3D BIM is the initial BIM phase, it is about creating 3D graphical information and adding non-graphical data to the model. Here, all disciplines work collaboratively contributing towards the model.

The benefits of 3D are better visualization for all project team members, spatial coordination, fewer errors and the ability to share up-to-date information between all project parties.

BIM 3D models assist contractors in the programming and scheduling of BIM projects, using semi-automated processes. This is achieved by adding programme and time data to a BIM project. A 3D BIM model can be interrogated and analysed within various energy analysis software packages, such as SunCast and Daylight Analysis.

4D BIM

BIM 3D models assist contractors in the programming and scheduling of BIM projects, using semi-automated processes. This is achieved by adding programme and time data to a BIM project.

Once the data is married to the building project, the 4D programming schedule can be established.

The 4D programme helps contractors and design teams improve and refine a project’s schedule.

5D BIM

This level concerns the use of BIM for quantity schedules and costing information and helps quantity surveyors and designers to produce accurate costings of building projects.

Various software can be used to assist in the production of quantity take-offs and cost information, such as Revit and NBS Create.

Standardised data can then be integrated into BIM models, ensuring that building components meet the required regulations.

This information can be accessed from the BIM core model and BIM package.

6D BIM

6D BIM is best explained by this quote from BIMPanzee:

6D BIM (sixth-dimensional building information modelling) helps perform energy consumption analyses. The utilization of 6D BIM technology can result in more complete and accurate energy estimates earlier in the design process. It also allows for measurement and verification during building occupation, and improved processes for gathering lessons learned in high performance facilities. Integrating BIM with 6D CAD simulation models leads to an overall reduction in energy consumption.

(BIMPanzee 2013)

7D BIM

7D BIM concentrates on getting the right information handed over to the facilities management teams post-completion. This may include:

  • Soft landings: ‘A strategy adopted to ensure the transition from construction to occupation is bump-free and that operational performance is optimised’ (designingbuildings.co.uk 2015).

  • Construction Operations Building Information Exchange (COBIE): According to the NBS, ‘COBie is a non-proprietary data format for the publication of a subset of building information models, focussed on delivering asset data as distinct from geometric information’ (Hamil 2018).

  • As-built models: BIM models including graphical and non-graphical information about the project as it was built. Another term for it is ‘as-constructed’ and provides information to clients, asset and facility management, beneficial for the future use of the asset.

  • Bespoke data on installed systems: In certain cases, where suitable off-shelf data for installed systems is not available or is not available in a meaningful manner, a bespoke database may be written.

  • Whole-life data: This is information detailing all phases of a building’s lifecycle, from initial brief and design to demolition and removal of debris.

Beyond 7D

So far, there are no known proposals beyond 7D. However, there could be work in the pipeline. Use the task below to explore this.

Opportunities for BIM Implementation

Building Information Modelling (BIM) opportunities previously mentioned BIM dimensions starting from 3D, 4D up to 7D.

These dimensions enable the whole lifecycle project team to improve their working practice on the project. They would reduce errors, provide better visualisation, provide a platform to be used for more effective decision-making through all project phases from design conception to facility management and demolition phase.

In regard to challenges, some include:

  • Investments in new software and hardware
  • The training and learning process (including practice period)
  • Lack of interest or demand by the client
  • Accepting the collaborative nature of BIM practice and sharing the information within the wider project team
  • Involving the supply chain in the process
  • Defining and implementing data, security and ownership requirements and integrating data and different models together, due to interoperability issues.

The opportunities of BIM include:

  • Improving certainty about the construction timeline and budget
  • Better design, both structurally and more efficient in terms of energy performance
  • Managing clients’ expectations in a more efficient way
  • More efficient information management and communication
  • Better site management, health and safety and risk management of the project

While this is a general list for the UK industry, not all companies and professionals have the same opportunities and challenges.

BIM is generally an opportunity for an improved practice both for Architecture Engineering and Construction (AEC) professionals and clients. However, each party needs to determine their own strengths, opportunities, threats and weakness to decide how to use BIM for their own needs.


BIM Implementation Policy. 

Policy has a big role to play in identifying the standard measures that individuals and organisations must follow, and encouraging them to do so. In addition to government policies, companies set their own policies based on their own objectives.

In several countries, policy has influenced construction organisations to adopt Building Information Modelling (BIM). Equally, BIM policies have influenced people to adhere to certain measures that the companies put in place regarding BIM implementation.

One of the most important things promoted by BIM is the ability to share information between teams within the same construction projects. This is beneficial for the Architecture Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry as ‘contracts usually forbid information sharing under the clause of confidentiality, liability and litigation concerns’ (BIM Today 2017).

In other words, contractors, suppliers and designers have to observe legal implications when sharing information relating to their projects. In contrast, BIM promotes collaboration and encourages not only making plans as clear as possible at all stages but also enabling greater sharing of information throughout a project’s lifecycle.

As BIM is a relatively new phenomenon in the AEC industry, most companies may not yet have formed BIM implementation policies.

To create effective policy, it is important to understand government guidelines and standards. This means understanding and implementing principles of key standards such as EN ISO 19650-1, BS EN ISO 19650-2, PAS 1192 standards and BS 1192 (in the UK).

To establish and achieve effective policy, it is important to identify the goals regarding BIM in the company and, within that frame:

Gather information by:

  • Identifying investment
  • Identifying potentials for competitive advantage with BIM tools
  • Identifying risks and challenges to be managed
  • Identifying software solutions that are the most suitable for the team

Create, document and implement policy by:

  • Creating guidelines and protocols for staff to follow, in order to establish a standard and consistent practice, as well as quality and effective communication
  • Providing technical and knowledge support
  • Applying principles suggested in BIM standards and setting the goals to start with BIM practice

In addition to the demand or desire to set company policies for BIM, existing company policies need to accommodate the new dimension of carrying out projects in the AEC industry.

BIM Implementation Components: People 

In most organisations and countries, it has been common for BIM to have been in use for a considerable length of time before being mandated.

However, implementing BIM has still been far from easy, as success depends on the level at which people are willing and able to engage with it, and the type of project being undertaken. For example, in the UK it is only public buildings that are mandated to use BIM.

In order to build effective teams and achieve maximum engagement from its people, an organisation should pay careful attention to a number of areas when adopting and implementing BIM. In regard to people management, the two key aspects are addressing communication within the team and collaboration.

To achieve effective communication:

  • Establish means of communication through easy-to-use tools such as Common Data Environment (CDE), company portals and forums, directly through BIM software
  • Establish means of communication by having an open culture and face-to-face meetings regarding BIM practice
  • Improve it by discussing project and BIM objectives – clarify what a project is intended to achieve, precisely what needs to be delivered and benefits it will bring
  • Share the information within the project team, with security and contract limitations in mind

To achieve team collaboration and effective leadership:

  • Support the team by providing resources and motiving them to achieve BIM objectives
  • Provide BIM management support
  • Establish clear roles and responsibilities
  • The management needs to support team collaboration both within their inner team and wider team
  • Establish collaborative working practice through open culture and contractual agreements that enable this
BIM Implementation components: Process 

Traditionally, the Architectural Engineering and Construction (AEC) sector has not been a production-oriented industry, but in recent years and with the rise of Building Information Modelling (BIM), it has started to change its approach and adopt many of the concepts and techniques more commonly seen in the world of manufacturing.

In the literature, there are many examples that illustrate how the AEC industry has evolved. For example, until recently it was extremely uncommon for the construction sector to engage non-design teams in its planning stages, and to collaborate fully with other parties throughout all project phases.

The AEC sector is also starting to move away from traditional manual labor and adopt more sophisticated manufacturing methods, such as the use of robots and increasing levels of offsite production.

One of the most fascinating things about adopting this more production-influenced approach is that processes change frequently. However, as exciting as it is to adopt new approaches, tools and techniques, sometimes processes can be problematic to implement.

Even experienced AEC professionals who are well aware of the BIM benefits have struggled to implement it. The shortest and easiest way which they opt for is to use new technology which will need to be integrated with ‘some’ of the old processes for people to adapt to. They favour old processes as it’s something they are used to and are more than comfortable with.

As an example, you may find professionals or AEC firms with a building program in Microsoft Excel on one monitor, and on the other, they have Autodesk AutoCAD or Revit. They are busy creating and recreating the data when they can use Excel-to-Revit tools and create spaces from Excel in Revit automatically. Too many processes create a lot of data waste across the lifecycle of construction projects. It’s time to realise that better and effective ways of doing things do exist.

BIM Implementation Components: Technology

We are living in a technological era and technology keeps changing.

Technological change can be defined from different perspectives. Here, we consider the definition from an economic point of view.

‘A technological change is an increase in the efficiency of a product or process that results in an increase in output, without an increase in input. Or made it simple, someone invests or improves a product or process, which is then used to get bigger reward for the same amount of work.’

(Study.com 2015)

Interestingly, despite its many benefits, technological change still faces considerable resistance in many places. Resistance to new technology in an organisation is normal, regardless of the company’s size, reputation for working with advanced technology and the number of years for which it has operated in its field.

However, now that Building Information Modelling (BIM) has been made mandatory for public construction works in the UK and many other countries, its adoption and implementation may no longer be a matter of choice for companies in the architecture engineering and construction sector.

One thing we know for certain is that the technology around BIM and its implementation will continue to advance and evolve.

For instance, current BIM standards at national and global levels will keep changing to accommodate new innovations as they come into being. Just recently, in January 2019, there has been a publication of international BIM standards: BS EN ISO 19650-1 and BS EN ISO 19650-2. BIM software such as Revit will also continue to improve and, eventually, be replaced.

With this rapid and far-reaching change set to continue for the foreseeable future, the question is how can we make the transition as smooth and problem-free as possible? The following questions provide some guidelines:

  • Is your hardware and software up to date and can it support BIM software tools?
  • Can your systems handle the amount of data required to efficiently run BIM software?
  • Are your computers equipped to take on higher processing speeds?
  • Rendering and analysing data takes a significant amount of processing speed; are your systems frequently upgraded to take more data than they were originally intended to?
  • Do you have enough storage space for large projects’ data?
  • Will the large amounts of data used be secure enough yet easy to access?


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